Family of Woman Killed by Flying Truck Tire Sues Truck Driver, Company
The family of a Georgia woman killed last year when a tire flew off a semi-truck and smashed into her car is suing both the trucking company and the driver.
The accident happened Aug. 11 on Interstate 75 South in Peach County, GA. The suit says two of the wheels on the left side of a US Xpress Transport truck driven by Yurien Bello Chavez. The wheels crossed the median and one of them crashed into the hood and windshield of an SUV driven by Jennifer Thomas, who then hit another vehicle and crashed into a concrete median, killing her immediately.
The lawsuit lists 10 counts, which allege negligence by Chavez for failing to inspect his trailer to ensure safe operation and negligence by the carrier US Xpress Transport including failure to properly inspect and maintain vehicles in their fleet, and for negligence in training and retaining an employee who posed a risk to others.
In August, Yurien Bello Chavez, who lives in Miami, was charged with 2nd-degree vehicular homicide, unsafe vehicle/equipment, and defective tires.
This is an ongoing story and will be updated as new information becomes available.
